John was born at the Norton Cottages, Preston Brook to his parents Arthur and Mary Ann (nee Cliff), on the 23rd April 1892. His birth was registered on the 3rd June 1892. John had three other siblings, William, Joseph, Ellen and Peter. Father Arthur worked as a warehouse porter.
In the 1911 Census, John was listed as a ‘Poultry man’, whilst still living as home.
On the 18th November 1914, following Kitchener’s call to arms, John and three mates went along to Frodsham and enlisted in the 8th Battalion of the Kings Own Royal Lancaster Regiment, being issued with consecutive regimental numbers. After training the lads embarked for France on the 27th September 1915. John served throughout the war with the 8th Battalion.
Whilst a Lance Corporal , he was awarded the Military Medal for acts of gallantry and devotion to duty under fire or for individual or associated acts of bravery, being gazetted on the 14th May 1919.
Before returning to civilian street John was made Acting Sergeant.
On the 14th June 1922, John married Nellie Jackson, a farmers daughter from Bowden Bank View in Ollerton, Cheshire. By the time of the marriage Nellies father, Daniel, had passed away. Nellie also had 9 siblings, .
The 1939 Register shows that John was now a Dairy Farmer in Bucklow, Cheshire whilst Nellie looked after the house.
When they retired from farming, they went to live at 2 Wellbank Cottages, Over Peover, Cheshire.
John passed away on the 14th February 1966 in Parkside Hospital Macclesfield.
Nellie, continued living at the Wellbank Cottage until she passed away on the 2nd March 1986.